Aug 15, 2013

MOSCOW – Former Gamecock Lashinda Demus won the women’s 400-meter hurdle bronze medal at the 2013 IAAF World Championship on Thursday at Luzhniki Stadium. In field action, rising senior Jeannelle Scheper made her World Championship debut, finishing 13th in her qualifying group in the women’s high jump.

Demus controlled the race early after a fast start. In the last 100 meters of the race, Zuzana Hejnova from the Czech Republic took over and did not let up. Demus’ training partner Dalilah Muhammad of Team USA passed the Gamecock with 25 meters to go to take silver. After setting a season-best of 54.22 in the semifinals, the 2011 world champion turned in a time of 54.27 in the finals.

No woman has ever defended her 400-meter hurdle title at the IAAF World Championships.

In today’s morning session, Scheper entered the high jump competition at 5′ 10″ (1.78m), earning a second-attempt clearance at her opening height. At the next height of 6′ (1.83m), Scheper made it over easily on her first attempt. With the bar set at 6′ 2″ (1.88m), Scheper was unable to get over in three attempts and was eliminated from the competition.

The Gamecock will take home a 24th-place finish in her IAAF World Championship debut. Last summer, Scheper finished eighth at the IAAF World Junior Championships.

South Carolina head coach Curtis Frye’s Team USA sprint and hurdle group added another medal on Thursday as Michael Tinsley won the 400-meter hurdle silver in a photo finish.

Tomorrow, Kierre Beckles, who just competed her collegiate eligibility in June, takes the track for Barbados in the first round of the women’s 100-meter hurdles. Her race is set for 1:45 a.m. The women’s 4×400-meter relay first round is also tomorrow. Gamecock Natasha Hastings who finished fifth in the 400-meter dash finals is a member of the relay pool. Live coverage of both events will be on Universal Sports.